Complex Retroreflective Bead

ABSTRACT

A retroreflective composite bead for highway marking having high retroreflectivity both when initially installed and over the bead lifetime, allowing vehicle drivers to see highway marking lines at night and in adverse conditions during nighttime. When installed the retroreflective beads essentially retroreflect the base color of the highway marking material in which the retroreflective beads are embedded. The beads comprise a larger bead with a coating of smaller particles heat bonded to its surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/751,065, filed Oct. 26, 2018, hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The embodiments of the claimed materials relate generally to highreflectivity objects such as, for example, those used in highwaystriping and marking materials as well as to aesthetic applications, forexample, countertops and safety applications. Specifically, theembodiments of this application relate to retroreflective beads used inhighway striping and marking materials to enhance visibility of thehighway, where striped and marked, especially during conditions of lowlight such as nighttime.

BACKGROUND

Pavement markings such as paints, tapes, and individually mountedarticles that guide and direct motorists traveling along a roadway areknown. During daylight the markings may be sufficiently illuminated byambient light to effectively signal and guide motorists. At night,especially when the primary source of illumination is the vehicle'sheadlights, the markings may be insufficient to guide motorists becauselight from vehicle headlights hits the pavement and pavement markings ata very low angle of incidence, with the result that the light largelyreflects away from the vehicle.

Retroreflection is the mechanism whereby light incident on a surface isreflected in a way that much of the incident light is directed backtowards the light source. The most common retroreflective pavementmarkings, such as lane lines on roadways, are made by droppingtransparent glass or ceramic optical elements onto a freshly paintedline to which the optical elements become partially embedded in ahardened coating. Incident light desirably passes through the opticalelements to the pavement marking paint or sheet, striking any pigmentparticles embedded therein. The pigment particles scatter the light. Thescattered light includes a portion that is directed back into theoptical element, which then redirects that portion of light back towardsthe light source.

In addition to providing desired optical effects, pavement markings mustwithstand road traffic, road maintenance, and adverse weatherconditions, and are subject to cost constraints during manufacture andinstallation.

Vertically oriented or upwardly disposed surfaces provide goodorientation for retroreflection. As a result, attempts have been made toincorporate vertical surfaces in pavement markings, such as by providingprotrusions in the marking surface. Vertical surfaces may advantageouslyprevent build-up of water over the retroreflective surface diming rainyweather, which water would otherwise interfere with retroreflection.

Sometimes raised pavement markers are placed at intervals along apavement marking line. These markers are relatively large, generallybeing several centimeters in width, and five to twenty millimeters inheight. Typically, such markers require assembly of differentcomponents, some of which were previously individually molded or cast.Therefore, such markers are relatively expensive to manufacture. Thesize of the markers makes them subject to substantial impact forces frompassing vehicles. As a result, the markers must be well secured to thepavement, increasing installation costs and removal costs when themarkers must be replaced. Moreover, because the markers are applied atintervals, the reflected light provided by the markers are in the formof discontinuous spots of light. A continuous bright line of reflectivelight is more desirable. Improvements are needed.

Embossed pavement marking tapes represent an approach that has beentaken towards providing better highway marking surfaces. Selectiveplacement of transparent optical elements on the sides of embossedraised protrusions present in the tapes results in somewhat effectivemarking. However, such tapes are relatively expensive compared topainted markings and tend to pick up dirt that adheres to the tape evenafter a hard rain. As a result, tape usage is often limited lowertraffic areas such as unlighted intersections and railway crossings.These embossed tapes are constructed with polymeric materials which aresusceptible to wear.

Yet another approach to providing retroreflection is the compositeretroreflective element. These retroreflective elements essentially havea core with smaller optical elements embedded onto the core surface.Some also contain optical elements dispersed throughout the core thatbecome exposed with wear. The core may be irregular in shape or may beshaped as a sphere, tetrahedron, disc, square, tile, etc.

Some known retroreflective elements have centers formed of polymericcores or binders. A pigmented core or binder may serve as a diffusereflector, allowing spherical optical elements to be used on horizontaland vertical surfaces. Other constructions have transparent opticalelements including specular reflectors such as metallic silver. Themetallic surface directs light back towards the light source. In suchcases pigmented cores are not used. Geometry of the optics may make aspecular coated optical element less effective when embedded in pavementmarking paint on a horizontal surface, and more effective when embeddedin the vertical surfaces of a retroreflective support element.

Another retroreflective element construction uses silvered glass flakesas a specular reflector on the surface of a spherical polymeric core; nospherical optical elements are used. Still another known constructionhas a retroreflective element with a plastic globule refracting incidentlight onto a layer of glass optical elements attached to the bottom ofthe globule. The glass optical elements focus light onto a specularcoating or film located below the elements. Incident light is thenreflected along the original path towards the source.

Shaped polymeric retroreflective elements with pigmented cores and glassoptical elements embedded in the vertical surfaces are anotheralternative. These retroreflective elements are formed by extrudingpigmented polymer into rods of different cross-sectional shapes. Glassoptical elements are embedded into the surface of the polymer before ithardens, then the rods are sliced to form the elements.

Polymeric retroreflective elements are undesirably susceptible to wear,especially in high traffic regions, and to degradation due toweathering. To overcome these limitations, retroreflective elements havebeen constructed having a ceramic core surrounded by optical glass witha metallic specular coating.

One such construction approach is a rock or glass sphere core covered bya polymeric binder with glass optical elements having a specularmetallic coating embedded in the polymeric coating. Another constructionincludes a glass sphere and a layer of glass optical elements attachedto the bottom of the glass sphere with a polymeric binder. A metallicfilm below the glass optical elements acts as a specular reflector.However, these glass sphere-metallic film combination do not provide thebrilliant white or yellow color for the reflective light that isdesirable in a high-quality highway and is necessary to meet therequirements of many regulatory authorities. The glass sphere-metallicfilm approach tends to produce reflected light that is grey or silver,instead of white, or that is bronze or gold, instead of yellow. None ofthese are acceptable. Other constructions include a composite lenselement serving both as a retroreflective element and a skid-resistantparticle. The skid-resistant particle, which acts as a core, may beeither a corundum particle or glass sphere, and is coated with apigmented polymeric binder acting as a diffuse reflector.

A ceramic element having glass optical elements embedded throughout aglass core and at the core surface is another approach. A thin metallicfilm separates the optical elements and the glass core to provide anefficient specular retroreflective system. Alternatively, opticalelements having a refractive index greater than 2.0 are used. These highrefractive index optical elements are asserted as being capable ofreflecting light without the need for a reflective backing.

Beads for highway marking with a polymer core, and beads consisting ofall glass bonded to a glass core that is fabricated by melting theseglass components together; there is no polymer core nor is any adhesiveused are other options. U.S. Pat. No. 8,292,539 discloses a multiplebead agglomerate wherein the beads are connected by adhesive and silane.

Due to the limitations of the known reflective materials and structures,an improves reflection technology is needed that is easily made withhigh yield, is easily used in reflective products and has substantialretroreflectivity.

SUMMARY

An improved bead is made using an interfacial modifier (IM) to initiallybond smaller beads onto a larger bead. This technology ensures that thesmaller beads form a single layer the coats the larger bead. Theresulting bead can be successfully sintered to bond the smaller bed tothe larger bead with bead to bead binding and substantial removal of allexisting organic components. In one of its embodiments this applicationprovides a retroreflective bead article usable, for example, for highwaymarking having high retroreflectivity both when initially installed andover the bead lifetime, allowing vehicle drivers to see highway markinglines at night and in adverse conditions during nighttime. Wheninstalled the retroreflective beads essentially retroreflect the basecolor of the highway marking material in which the retroreflective beadsare embedded.

In one of its several aspects this application provides aretroreflective device securable to a highway by bonding with a viscousstrip applied to the highway prior to solidifying cure of the strip,where the device includes a generally large globular glass centralcomponent, and a plurality of peripheral smaller globular glasscomponents connected to the central component by bonding of theparticles under the influence of an interfacial modifier (IM) coatingdispersed on the surfaces of the glass central component to theperipheral globular components to form the retroreflective bead. Noadhesive is used during the bonding of the large and small glasscomponents.

In yet another of its aspects this embodiment provides a retroreflectivebead article, which after significant traffic passage thereover, wearsat the top of the retroreflective bead but maintains retroreflectivitywith retroreflectivity largely being produced at the side of theretroreflective bead, and with the exposed core central bead of theretroreflective bead being retroreflective after wear or abrasion of theperipheral bead components.

The retroreflective beads may be applied to a highway surface by trucksdropping exact amounts of the retroreflective beads on freshly appliedhighway and colored marking lines. The lines preferably utilize twocomponent curing/reactive chemistries such as epoxy, epoxy hybrids,polyurethanes and polyureas and are often pigmented either yellow orlight. However, the embodiments are not limited by the base color of thesurface. When the retroreflective beads are applied, the line is floodedwith the retroreflective beads that embed into the surface of the line.The line is ready for traffic in two to ten minutes, depending on thespecific line chemistry used. Alternatively, the retroreflective beadarticle may be mixed with small, bare retroreflective beads known in theart.

A further embodiment is to apply the retroreflective beads to a highwayby trucks dropping exact amounts of the retroreflective beads on freshlyapplied thermoplastic or latex colored paint.

Control of timing for the addition, mixing and heating of each componentprovides the desired properties of the final retroreflective beadproduct.

Retroreflective bead article performance characteristics can be measuredin several ways: retroreflectivity of the bead by itself;retroreflectivity of the bead in a painted highway marking line; colorof the line after addition of the retroreflective beads as compared tocolor without retroreflective beads; retroreflectivity of the line afterwear testing with traffic; and color of the line with retroreflectivebeads after wear testing. ASTM E1710 for retroreflectivity and ASTME1349 for color are the test methods used.

In other embodiments, the retroreflective bead article may be useful foraesthetic applications, for example, countertops and for safetyapplications for example vest, coats, and hats. Further applications arein the marine environment, such as, for example, navigation and safetybuoys. Other marine uses are contemplated as well where retroreflectiveproperties would be important and useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a picture of retroreflective generally spherical glass beadsfor highway marking in accordance with embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an artist's conception of a cross-sectional view the generallyspherical glass beads shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an artist's conception enlarged sectional view of a portion ofthe generally spherical glass beads for highway marking in accordancewith embodiments of the disclosure, with the smaller exterior generallyperipheral, spherical glass components.

FIG. 4 is an image showing the attachment of the generally peripheral,spherical glass components to each other.

FIG. 5 is graph showing the time-temperature curve useful for heatbonding the large and small spherical glass components together. SeeTable 3.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In fabricating retroreflective glass article where the glass beadarticle 10 consists of larger central globular glass components, thecentral bead or component 12, each having a plurality of smallerglobular peripheral glass beads or components, the peripheral beadcomponent, 14 connected to the central components 12, and the articleare useful for highway marking or other applications, such as safety andsignage, jackets, clothing, bicycles, or countertops, whereretroreflectivity is useful.

The process to make the retroreflective glass article commences withcollecting a supply of largely spherical, essentially clear, relativelylarger globular glass central bead or component referred to sometimesherein as “beads”, “particles” “particulate”, or “spheres”. Suitableamounts of an interfacial modifier are added to the large central beadssurface and the resulting combination is mixed until the large beadshave a controlled exterior coating of the interfacial modifier. Next thesmaller peripheral glass beads, that are generally spherical or at leastrounded in form, are added to the mixture of large beads coated with theinterfacial modifier, but not dried, and the resulting new mixture ofinterfacially modified coated large beads and small beads are blended.The smaller beads can optionally contain an IM layer. During theblending phase, the small peripheral beads forms an ordered continuouslayer on the surface of the larger central bead. Surface tension alsoknown as capillary attraction forces between the central bead and theperipheral beads causes an ordered array due to the thin interfacialmodifier layer(s). In the absence of the IM the peripheral bead does notassociate with the central bead. An excess of IM prevents any usefulassociation of peripheral bead to central bead. A small amount ofinterfacial modifier coating the large bead can be transferred to thesurface of the small bead during this blending process. The surfaceeffect of the interfacial modifier on the surface of the large bead isthe contact point between the large and small beads. The amount ornumber of small beads added to the mixture can be adjusted to controlthe amount and extent of peripheral bead distribution on the centralbead and tune the later bonding process. After mixing and blending thelarge and small glass bead components, a plurality of the smaller beadsis ordered as a monolayer on the surface of the larger beads and canform a substantially complete coating.

In this practice of the embodiment, all of the processing, includingmixing of the various beads and coatings, the time for the interfacialmodifier to cover the surfaces of the initial group of larger beads andfor self-ordering of the small beads to associate the small sphericalglass members to the interfacially modifier surface of the larger glassbeads to form the retroreflective glass bead article occurs in a shortperiod of time.

In a more specific embodiment for fabricating retroreflective glass beadarticle, where the retroreflective glass article comprises largercentral generally spherical glass components with each larger beadhaving a plurality of smaller peripheral generally spherical glasscomponents heat bonded to the central bead components. The heat bondedretroreflective bead article provided will retroreflect any color suchas, for example, either white or yellow according to the pigment(s)selected for incorporation into the highway marker, or other pigmentsthat may be incorporated into countertops or safety equipment.

The method includes coating a supply of generally spherical essentiallyclear larger glass central components. About 0.2 to about 2 parts byweight of an interfacial modifier and is blended with the supply of thelarger, spherical glass components into a mixture. The smaller glasscomponents are blended into the coated mixture until the central largergenerally spherical glass components are substantially covered by anarray of the peripheral smaller components. The smaller peripheralcomponents are ordered on the surface of the interfacial modifier thatis coating the large central glass bead. The smaller peripheralcomponents form a monolayer of small glass components over the largeglass central components.

In another embodiment, the interfacial modifier may coat the large beadcomponent and the smaller, simultaneously or separately, generallyspherical glass components may comprise a coating of interfacialmodifier, all relative to the small glass bead component. The large andsmall bead components are then mixed to provide a large central beadcoated with an array of a plurality of smaller peripheral beads.

In a further embodiment, the method for fabricating retroreflectiveglass article consisting of larger central essentially spherical glasscomponents, each having a plurality of smaller spherical glasscomponents heat bonded to the central components, for providing eitherwhite or yellow reflective light, according to the color desired theinterfacial modifier is about 0.1 to 3 or 0.2 to 2 wt. % relative to thelarge glass central bead component.

As in the above first described embodiments, all of the processing,including preparing the dispersion, mixing the various reagents,allowing time for the dispersion to cover the initial group of largerglass components and for the associating, resulting in the array of thesmall spherical glass components to the larger glass members, occursquickly often over a period ranging from as little as about 30 secondsto a maximum of about many minutes.

In some embodiments, a kit comprising a plurality of individuallypackaged units of the heat bonded, retroreflective bead articles to beadministered during application of the highway marking strip or duringapplication to other surfaces requiring retroreflectivity are suppliedwith instructions for use. The individually packaged units may compriseheat bonded retroreflective beads all of one size. In another aspect,individually packaged units may comprise heat bonded retroreflectivebead in mixed sizes. In another aspect, individually packaged units maycomprise heat bonded retroreflective beads mixed with beads that are notheat bonded retroreflective beads.

The term “central” bead or sphere is a larger spherical object uponwhich the smaller peripheral spherical objects are arrayed.

The “peripheral” bead is a spherical article of substantially smallerdiameter than the central bead that is arrayed upon the surface of thecentral bead.

The “array” of the peripheral beads is ordered by the distribution ofthe peripheral beads on the surface of the central beads insubstantially a single layer or monolayer. The peripheral beads and thecentral beads are in contact at a point with one and each other of thebead components via the coating of the interfacial modifier that is heattreated to obtain a solid bond of atoms from the glass surface and theIM. The array can fully cover or partially cover the central bead.

A “retroreflective bead” is a central bead with an array of peripheralbeads on its surface.

The term “heat bonded” means that the central bead is bonded to thearray of peripheral beads at an interface structure comprising atomsfrom both the central and peripheral beads and non-volatile component ofthe interfacial modifier. In an embodiment, the heat bond is formed at atemperature below that of the glass in the beads and the beads retaintheir spherical nature except for the bond at the interface. The bondcan comprise an alloy structure or a structure formed as atoms from thebead diffuses into the space between beads. The beads still maintain aseparate structure spherical structure that is heat bonded to otherbeads, both large and small.

Heat Bonding

The key steps in making the retroreflective glass bead are 1)preparation of the large and small bead components being used for makingthe retroreflective bead, 2) coating the large globular central beadcomponent and, optionally, the smaller globular peripheral beadcomponents with interfacial modifier, 3) mixing the small beadcomponents with the large bead components 4) obtaining an array of thesmall bead peripheral components onto the large bead central components;and 5) heating the large and small bead components to form a largecomplex bead with the large and small bead components heat bonded toform the ordered array of a plurality of small glass peripheral beadsover the surface of the large bead components. The large bead componentis well covered with the small beads on the surface of the large beadcomponent through the effect of the interfacial modifier coated on thesurface of the large bead component. In an embodiment the coverage ofthe array of small globular peripheral bead component over the largeglobular central bead component of the retroreflective glass beadarticle is substantially a single ordered layer, monolayer, of the smallbeads on each of the large beads in a mixture of the bead sizes. Anordered array of the small bead component on the interfacially modifiedsurface of the large bead can be greater than 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, or 95%over the surface area of the large bead.

When heated to a bonding (sintering) temperature (preferably less thanthe melting point of any glass), at the bead interfaces, each adjacentbead and non-volatile portions from the interfacial modifier can combineto form a heated bond between beads with the large bead component beingthe center structure and the small peripheral bead component dispersedonto and heat bonded to the surfaces of the other large centralcomponents. Similarly, at contact points between peripheral beads, heatbonding processes can bond the adjacent peripheral beads forming a morestable surface array on the large central bead. Heat bonding is theprocess whereby beads bond together typically below the melting point byalloying, atomic diffusion or atomic transport events between beads andIM. The driving force is the combination of atoms at the interface and areduction in the system free energy, manifested by decreased surfacecurvatures, and an elimination of surface area.

The interfacial modifier is essential to forming a stable layer on thelarger bead that can be heat bonded. In the absence of the IM the beadsdo not associate. The IM on a bead surface(s) may cooperate in the heatbonding process with other interfacial modifier coatings on other beadsto form the heat bonded product. The nonvolatile portion of the IM is apart of the fila heat bonding structure. At the contact point eitherbetween the large central bead and small peripheral bead or betweenseparate small peripheral beads adjacent to each other, a solidattachment or “neck” may be formed between either the large bead andsmall bead surface or between the surfaces of adjacent small beads. Notbeing bound by theory, the “neck” connecting the bead surfaces appearsto be solid material that may have originated from the nonvolatileportion of interfacial modifier coating and uncoated grain boundariesbetween adjacent large or small beads and formed during heating. Theneck appears to hold the smaller bead in a rigid posture relative to thesurface of the large bead. This rigid posture aids in retroreflection oflight beams by not allowing movement of the smaller peripheral bead andthus disruption of the light refracting and reflecting through thesmaller peripheral bead surfaces. The neck may aid in durability andabrasion resistance. In some embodiments this neck or attachment at thecontact point between either the large central or small peripheral beadsmay have some optical properties and may capture and reflect or scatterlight directed through the glass beads. In some embodiments, the neckcan be cylindrical or concave in shape and profile.

The interfacial modified surfaces that bond may be the same or differentrelative to the organic interfacial modifier. Due to the nature of theheat bonding process involving IM residue and glass components, heatbonding temperatures can be below a melting point of the glass.Temperatures we have used are about 700 to 800° C. A useful temperatureis about 740 to 780° C. Heating time ranges from 15 to 120 seconds. Auseful time is less than 60 seconds.

The useful steps in forming a retroreflective bead may be summarized asfollows:

-   -   1) Large central, and optional small peripheral IM bead coatings        of the surfaces,    -   2) Large central bead coated with IM mixing with small beads        thereto ordering themselves to form an array of small peripheral        beads on the surface of the interfacially modified coated large        central bead.    -   3) Preparing the retroreflective glass bead to form a coated        body or a preform.    -   4) Heating the retroreflective bead preform.    -   5) Post heating finishing.

Beads

The retroreflection of the retroreflective bead article is an importantproperty of the embodiment. When light strikes a retroreflective bead,it is refracted and reflected through the bead. Refraction is thebending of the light. A bead's ability to bend light is measured by itsindex of refraction, which is a ratio of the sine of the angle ofincidence to that of the refraction. The retroreflectivity of glassbeads is better explained by examining the path of light as it enters asingle retroreflective bead embedded in a surface such as, for example,highway paint, safety apparatus, or countertops.

As the light beam enters the retroreflective bead, the beam is bent orrefracted downward. This beam then shines on the back surface of thesmaller bead attached to the surface of the large bead, which ispartially embedded in the paint, thermoplastic, countertop, safetyequipment etc. The bead works like a mirror. If the surface was notpresent, the light would continue through the bead and bounce andscatter in many directions. This is one reason for properretroreflective bead embedment depth in the surface. The light is bent(refracted) downward by the curved surface of the small beads to a pointbelow where the retroreflective bead is embedded in the surface. Thus,when light is reflected off the surface at the back of the bead, a largeportion of that light is reflected through the retroreflective bead andthen refracted back toward your eyes.

The amount of refraction of light is characteristic of the glasscomposition and is known as the refractive index (R.I.) of the glass.The refractive index of the glass is dependent upon the chemical andphysical make-up of the glass material. Various types of glass used inthe construction of the glass bead have different indices of refractionand cause different amounts of light to be retroreflected. Water has anindex of refraction of 1.33, while the typical single beads made withsoda glass has a refractive index of 1.50. Contemporary beads used inthe pavement marking industry, for example, are available in refractiveindexes of 1.50, 1.65 and 1.90. The highest refractive material is 1.90and is a very expensive bead to produce, Also, its durability is not asgood as the soda glass type. Beads with a refractive index of 1.90 aregenerally called, “airport beads,” since this type of bead is used tomark runways at airports. Useful glass material for the retroreflectivebead of the embodiment have a refractive index of 1.50 for both thelarge and small beads.

Retroreflectivity is dependent upon the depth of the bead in a surface,for example, pavement marking material. Any exposed beads cannot surviveharsh use conditions if not protected. Protection can be obtained bysubstantially covering or embedding the beads in the use structurecomponents. For said pavement marking material, optimum depth ofcontemporary reflective beads in pavement marking material is oftenabout greater than 30%, 35 to 80% or 50 to 60% of the larger beaddiameter to maintain optimum retroreflectivity. Embedment of less than50% may affect the longevity of the beads due to abrasion or crushingforces. Increasing embedment beyond 60% significantly decreases theamount of light that can be directed back to the driver. Theretroreflective glass bead article somewhat alleviates this problembecause of the monolayer of many small beads heat bonded to the surfaceof the large beads. A bead completely buried in the binder isnon-retroreflective as no light enters the bead.

In summary, the amount of glass bead embedment will affect theretroreflectivity and the pavement line durability. For optimumretroreflectivity and durability, a bead should be embedded in a polymerlayer of covered by a film at about greater than 30%, 35 to 80% or 50 to60% of the larger bead diameter. Not all beads will be embedded 50-60%.Some beads will be completely buried more than 50% and others will beembedded less than 10%.

For the retroreflective glass bead article of the embodiment, the smallbeads arrayed on the periphery of the large bead presents many morecurved surfaces for light to be transmitted, reflected, and refractedthrough the bead. The result is said beads can be embedded deeper into asurface such as pavement marking material without a loss of effectiveretroreflectivity as measured by suitable instrumentation. Furtherdeeper embedment enhances the durability of retroreflective bead in thepavement line with resulting lower maintenance costs.

Solid glass beads or spheres (including both hollow spheres andmicrospheres and solid particulates) are useful materials in theembodiments. These spheres are strong enough to avoid being crushed orbroken during further processing, such as by high pressure spraying,kneading, extrusion or injection molding. In some embodiments thesespheres have particle sizes close to the sizes of other particulate ifmixed as one material.

In some embodiments, the retroreflective bead article, either largecentral bead component or the small bead peripheral component, includeat least one of various glass compounds including soda lime glass,borosilicated glass, high silica glass etc. In some embodiments thatinclude silica, the silica can be, for example, fumed silica,precipitated silica, surface modified silica, or nano-silica. Someexamples of such silica-containing particles include, for example, fumedsilica available under the trade designation AEROSIL from EvonikDegussa, (Parsippany, N.J.); precipitated silica available under thetrade designation FLO-GAD from PPG industries (Pittsburgh, Pa.), andnano-silica as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,394,977,incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments the retroreflective bead article can comprise glassbeads comprising aluminosilicate, boron trioxide, borophophosilicate,borosilicate, cobalt, fluorophosphate, fluorosilicate, germaniumdioxide, lead glass, opaline glass, soda lime, sodium hexametaphosphate,sodium silicate, tellurite, thoriated glass, uranium glass, or vitrite.The use of these glass compositions or their mixtures are to providespecific characteristic to the glass bead media such as coloring,marking, durability, cost etc.

In some embodiments the beads can be shapes other than generallyspherical. Such non-spherical shapes can include cubic, tetrahedral,pyramidal, etc. Spherical and non-spherical shapes can be mixed in themaking of the retroreflective bead article depending on the application.An optimum sphere range of sizes of beads makes up a product whichproduces the maximum retroreflectivity and highway longevity. Acombination of a larger and a smaller glass sphere wherein there isabout 0.1 to 40 or 5 to 35 wt % of the smaller sphere and about 99.9 toabout 75 or 95 to 65 wt. % of larger particles can be used were theratio of the diameter of the larger particles to the ratio of thesmaller is greater than about 2:1, 3:1, 4:1, 5:1, 6:1, 7:1, 10:1 or12:1. Percentages based on the particulate. Optionally, glass beads usedwithin the embodiments can include both solid and hollow glass spheres.

The smaller glass bead can be smaller than 300 microns, can be about 1to 250 Microns or 10 to 100 microns and can be about 20 to 60 microns.

The larger glass bead can be as larger as 2 mm, can be about 200 micronsto 1500 microns and can be about 500 to 1200 microns.

The ratio of diameters of the lager core beads to the smaller beads isgreater than 7:1 and can be about 200:1. 100:1, 254:1 or 7:1. Thesmaller bead peripheral components cover the larger bead centralcomponent in an array (i.e.) substantially a monolayer over the surfaceof the central component. The surface array comprises about 50 to 100%coverage of a substantial monolayer. Both the central component and theperipheral components are of generally spherical configuration. Thelarger single glass beads that form the center of the retroreflectivebead article in the embodiments are preferably Visibeae Plus beadsavailable from Potters Industries, Inc. in Valley Forge, Pa. These beadsrange in size from 1.0 to 1.5 mm and have a high percentage populationthat are substantially spherical or round. Smaller beads can be obtainedfrom 3M, Potters and other suppliers.

Interfacial Modifier

In an embodiment both the large central globular bead and smallperipheral globular bead are typically coated with an interfacialsurface chemical treatment also called an interfacial modifier (IM) thatsupports or enhances the final properties such as, rheology, highpacking fraction, and bead surface inertness. These properties are notpresent in contemporary mixed materials. The beads can be coated with IMseparately or the beads can be combined and then coated. Further, thelarge central bead can be coated with the interfacial modifier and thesmaller peripheral globular beads can be arrayed upon the large centralbead. An interfacially modified coated bead has a substantially completecoating of an interfacial modifier (IM) with a thickness of less than1000 Angstroms often less than 200 Angstroms, and commonly 10 to 500Angstroms (Å). An interfacial modifier is an organo-metallic materialthat provides an exterior coating on the bead promoting the closeassociation or array, but not attachment or bonding, of large bead tosmall bead.

An interfacial modifier is an organic material, in some examples anorgano-metallic material, that provides an exterior coating on the beadsto provide a surface that can promote the tendency to associate or forman array with bead to bead contact. No reactive bonding, such ascovalent bonding for example, of bead to bead occurs until the heatbonding step wherein the organic portions of the IM are volatilized, andthe non-volatile portions cooperate with the glass components to formand enhance the bonding structure. The lack of reactive bonding betweenthe bead components before heat bonding leads to the formation of anovel bead structure array. Thus, an interfacial modifier is not anadhesive because two surfaces are not being joined together to resistseparation. In one embodiment, the coating of interfacial modifier atleast partially covers the surface of the bead. In another embodiment,the coating of interfacial modifier continuously and uniformly coversthe surface of the bead, in a continuous coating phase layer. The IM canbe a liquid or solid at temperatures less than 35° C. Liquid IM ispreferred for its ability to rapidly coat the larger central beds.

Interfacial modifiers used in the application fall into broad categoriesincluding, for example, titanate compounds, zirconate compounds, hafniumcompounds, samarium compounds, strontium compounds, neodymium compounds,yttrium compounds, boron compounds, cobalt compounds, phosphonatecompounds, aluminate compounds and zinc compounds. Aluminates,phosphonates, titanate and zirconate that are useful contain from about1 to about 3 ligands comprising hydrocarbyl phosphate esters and/orhydrocarbyl sulfonate esters and about 1 to 3 hydrocarbyl ligands whichmay further contain unsaturation and heteroatoms such as oxygen,nitrogen and sulfur. In embodiments, the titanate and zirconate containfrom about 2 to about 3 ligands comprising hydrocarbyl phosphate estersand/or hydrocarbyl sulfonate esters, preferably 3 of such ligands andabout 1 to 2 hydrocarbyl ligands, preferably 1 hydrocarbyl ligand.

In one embodiment, the interfacial modifier that can be used is a typeof organo-metallic material such as organo-cobalt, organo-iron,organo-nickel, organo-titanate, organo-boron, organo-aluminate,organo-strontium, organo-neodymium, organo-yttrium, organo-zinc ororgano-zirconate. The specific type of organo-titanate,organo-aluminates, organo-strontium, organo-neodymium, organo-yttrium,organo-cobalt, organo-zirconate which can be used and which can bereferred to as organo-metallic compounds are distinguished by thepresence of at least one hydrolysable group and at least one organicmoiety. Mixtures of the organo-metallic materials may be used. Themixture of the interfacial modifiers may be applied inter- orintra-bead, which means at least one bead may has more than oneinterfacial modifier coating the surface (intra), or more than oneinterfacial modifier coating may be applied to different beads or beadsize distributions (inter).

Certain of these types of compounds may be defined by the followinggeneral formula:

M(R₁)_(n)(R₂)_(m)

wherein M is a central atom selected from such metals as, for example,Ti, Al, Hf, Sa, Sr, Nd, Yt, B, Co, P, Zn, and Zr and other metalcenters; R₁ is a hydrolysable group; R₂ is a group consisting of anorganic moiety, preferably an organic group that is non-reactive withpolymer or other film former; wherein the sum of m+n must equal thecoordination number of the central atom and where n is an integer ≥1 andm is an integer ≥1. Particularly R₁ is an alkoxy group having less than12 carbon atoms. Other useful groups are those alkoxy groups, which haveless than 6 carbons, and alkoxy groups having 1-3 C atoms. R₂ is anorganic group including between 6-30, preferably 10-24 carbon atomsoptionally including one or more hetero atoms selected from the groupconsisting of N, O, S and P. R₂ is a group consisting of an organicmoiety, which is not easily hydrolyzed and is often lipophilic and canbe a chain of an alkyl, ether, ester, phospho-alkyl, phospho-alkyl,phospho-lipid, or phospho-amine. The phosphorus may be present asphosphate, pyrophosphato, or phosphito groups. Furthermore, R₂ may belinear, branched, cyclic, or aromatic. R₂ is substantially unreactive,i.e. not providing attachment or bonding, to other particles or fiberwithin the composite material. Titanates provide antioxidant propertiesand can modify or control cure chemistry.

The use of an interfacial modifier results in workable viscosity for thelarge bead components. Minimal amounts of the modifier can be usedincluding about 0.005 to 8 wt.-%, about 0.01 to 6 wt.-%, about 0.02 to 5wt.-%, or about 0.02 to 3 wt.%. The IM coating can be formed as acoating of at least 3 molecular layers or at least about 50 or about 100to 500 or about 100 to 1000 angstroms (Å).

Test and Measurement Procedures

The retroreflective glass bead article fabricated will be tested andmeasured for their retroreflectivity characteristics, for theircompliance with applicable color specifications, for their pavementcoverage characteristics, for resistance to abrasion, and for resistanceto wear. The retroreflective glass bead article will be measured incharacteristics and values, relative to these parameters, and comparedto known commercially available reflective glass highway markingmaterials.

Retroreflectivity of the retroreflective glass bead article will bemeasured using the method set forth in ASTM Specification E1710 entitled“Test Method for Measurement of Retroreflective Pavement MarkingMaterials with CEN Prescribed Geometry Using Portable Reflectometer.” Inmeasuring retroreflectivity, the retroreflective glass bead article willbe tested (i) alone within a line along a tape without any backgroundpaint, (ii) positioned alone on a tape after handling and packagingsubsequent to manufacturing, (iii) with the retroreflective glass beadarticle alone on tape after a shake test (described below) of theretroreflective glass bead article, (iv) with the retroreflective glassbead article placed alone on a painted line, and (v) with theretroreflective glass bead article positioned together with standardglass beads used for highway marking on a painted line in a laboratoryafter the media and beads had been tested for wear according to the weartest described below.

Results from measuring retroreflectivity will be given for the examplesand field trials below where retroreflectivity is expressed inmillicandelas per square meter per lux, which is the unit ofretroreflectivity as specified in ASTM E1710. All measurements ofretroreflectivity will be made using a commercially available Miroluxretroreflectometer following the procedure set forth in ASTM E1710.

Color of the retroreflective glass bead article will be measuredfollowing the procedure set forth in ASTM E1349 entitled “Test Methodfor Reflectance Factor and Color by Spectrophotometer UsingBi-Directional Geometry” to determine compliance with ASTM D6628,entitled “Standard Specification for Color of Pavement MarkingMaterials,” which is the applicable standard. One measurement of thecolor of the retroreflective glass bead article will be made with thearticle freely standing, being stacked one on another on a base. Asecond measurement of the color of the retroreflective glass beadarticle will be made with the article interspersed with standard highwaymarking glass beads on a painted line. A third measurement of the colorof the retroreflective glass bead article will be made afterretroreflective glass bead article were interspersed with standard glasshighway marking beads on a painted line after wear testing pursuant tothe wear test procedure described below.

For all of the retroreflective glass bead article, that will befabricated according to the examples herein that will be set forthbelow, the color will always fall within the ASTM D6628 color box, andalso within the more stringent State of Virginia color box forretroreflective glass bead article.

Evaluation of the coverage of the retroreflective glass bead articlewill be based on viewing retroreflective glass bead article under amicroscope using from twenty to forty times magnification. The coverageafforded by the retroreflective glass bead article will be observed andempirical data recorded as retroreflectivity will be measured. This willbe done (i) viewing the retroreflective glass bead media alone,immediately after manufacture, (ii) viewing retroreflective glass beadmedia alone after being handled and packaged in the manufacturingfacility, and (iii) viewing the retroreflective glass bead media aloneafter haying undergone the shake test described below.

Retroreflective glass bead article will be further evaluated using a“shake test” designed to compare batches of retroreflective glass beadarticle one to another and to simulate severe abrasion ofretroreflective glass bead article. In the shake test, fifty (50) gramsof retroreflective glass bead article will be combined in a steel onepint can with one hundred (100) grams of grinding media, namely one-halfinch by one-half inch Burundum ceramic media available from FisherScientific. The can will be then shaken vigorously for 60 seconds. Aftershaking, a 20-mesh screen is used to sieve out any loose, very finegenerally spherical glass members. Material that passes through the20-mesh screen, and hence is smaller than 20 mesh, will be then weighedand recorded as a percentage of the retroreflective glass bead media.

The applicant also will devise a wear test to expose a finished stripe,consisting of paint having retroreflective glass bead article andstandard highway marking glass beads also applied thereto, to simulateexposure to severe continuous high-speed rubber wheel traffic. A samplestripe will be prepared on concrete with epoxy paint. Retroreflectiveglass bead article and standard highway marking beads will be applied tothe epoxy paint stripe. Retroreflectivity is measured and colordetermined for the stripe, using the ASTM procedures and equipmentdescribed above, both before and after the test. For the test, four-inchdiameter rubber wheels, each weighted down with twenty pound weights andspinning at a speed of 176 revolutions per minute, will be run on aten-inch diameter track to which the epoxy paint stripe, theretroreflective glass bead article, and standard highway marking beadshave been applied, for sixty (60) minutes, with a short interruptionafter each ten minute segment so that temperature does not rise too highdue to fiction.

EXAMPLE 1

Into a one-liter container was placed 500 grams of the large-core beadcomponent. A portion of the large-bead component was placed into aheated reaction vessel at room temperature. Into the container was added2.5 grams of an interfacial modifier to the large-bead component in thecontainer at a rate of about 0.5 parts of interfacial modifier perhundred parts of the large-bead component. The contents of the containerwere agitated until uniform and then placed into the room temperaturereaction vessel and heated. The contents of the heated reaction vesselwere agitated until uniform. The reaction vessel was then heated to 95°C. and maintained at that temperature for a short period leaving acoated large bead. Into 11 Coors ceramic crucibles were placed 35 gramsof the interfacially-modified coated large-bead components. While thecrucibles were not heated, the temperature of the interfacially-modifiedcoated large-bead components was estimated to be between 80 and 90° C.Into each of the crucibles containing the modified large-bead componentswas placed 0.820 grams of a 3M iM16K hollow glass microsphere. Once themicrospheres were added to each crucible, then the contents of eachcrucible were agitated until uniform mixing was achieved. The appearanceof the large beads changed markedly. Initially, the large beads appearedto be relatively transparent glass beads. However, after adding themicrospheres, the large beads became uniformly covered and looked asthough they had a coating of a “powdered” surface comprising a uniformdistribution of the hollow microspheres. After agitation, the contentsof the crucibles appeared to be simply a distribution of microspherescoated large-bead components with no uncoated large-bead components andminimal, separate microspheres. The uniform bead contents of thecrucible now at approximately ambient temperature were placed onto aheat-stable support plate and then placed into an oven. The cruciblesand their contents were heated under the conditions of temperature andtime in FIG. 5. The atmosphere in the oven was ambient atmosphere. Thecontents of the crucibles were removed and appeared to be a frangible,easily fractured, sintered mass. Each mass was compressed, and eachsample fractured into a distribution of the microsphere-coatedlarge-bead components. The material thus produced was then agitated forthe purpose of removing excess microspheres, which were released intothe atmosphere during break-up and agitation. The resulting coatedspheres were rinsed with service water until the rinse water ran clear.

Into the container of the coated large beads was placed approximately700 millimeters of service water, which was then agitated for fiveminutes for the purpose of ensuring that all unbonded microspheres wereremoved from the coated materials. The damp beads were then dried with aheat gun until fully dried of rinse water. Once dried, the beads actedas a free-flowing powder without agglomeration or adherence tocontainers or appliances. The resulting dry powder was then sieved toremove small particles. The overall yield of coated particles was about381 grams (96.9% yield), having a specific gravity of 2.6062 grams percubic millimeter. Visual inspection of the coated material showed thateach large-bead component was substantially coated (greater than 95%surface area) of a single layer of microspheres. The microspheresappeared to be uniform in spacing. In dealing with the coated materialand handling the material, once washed and sieved and dried, themicrospheres appeared to be fully centered to the underlying large beadswith a fused centered attachment. The beads and the microspheres did notappear to be changed physically by the process. The large beads appearedto maintain the initial diameter and composition, whereas themicrospheres appeared to be the same as the starting raw material.Visual inspection of the coated microspheres showed the center halo ofthe beads, indicating that the microspheres maintained sphericalcharacter throughout the method of preparation. The following is aparticle size analysis of the materials used. The glass formulationdetails are as follows in tables 1 and 2:

TABLE 1 Larger Particle Profile Larger core particles Mesh um mass onwt. % 10 2000 0.00 0.00% 16 1180 250.10 84.21% 20 850 46.80 15.76% 30600 0.10 0.03% pan 0 0.00 0.00% 297.00 100.00%

TABLE 2 Smaller Particle Profile Smaller particles Mesh um mass on wt. %200 75 0.8 0.27% 230 63 1.3 0.44% 270 53 47.3 15.87% 325 45 139.7 46.86%450 32 71 23.82% 500 25 22.5 7.55% 632 20 10.6 3.56% pan 0 4.9 1.64%298.1 100.00%

Started heat profile bonding program: setpoints were as follows (underatmospheric gas conditions):

TABLE 3 temperature profile ° C. Time (Min) 1 22 120 2 685 42 3 685 2404 50 −121 (end)Samples of each of the example, when viewed under conditions of minimallighting showed substantial retro-reflective character.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, in FIG. 1 an image showing theretroreflective glass bead (10) in accordance with the embodiment withthe exterior of the central retroreflective large glass centralcomponent (12) being essentially completely covered and exclusivelydefined by smaller generally spherical glass components, individual onesof which have been designated (14) in FIG. 1. Two completeretroreflective glass beads comprising small and large components arelabelled A and B. The smaller peripheral and largely spherical glasscomponents are distributed substantially in a monolayer over the surfaceof the larger mostly spherical glass components.

Referring to FIG. 2, an artist's schematic, the interior ofretroreflective glass bead (10) is defined by a relatively largergenerally spherical central glass component (12). The smaller generallyspherical glass components (14), defining the exterior ofretroreflective glass bead (10) as illustrated in FIG. 1, are visible inFIG. 2. Attachment of the smaller generally spherical glass components(14) to relatively larger generally spherical central glass component(12) is effectuated by a heat bonded attachment (17) through theinterfacial modifier coating layer (16) in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4.The smaller generally spherical glass peripheral components (14) aresufficiently attached by the attachment (17), the “neck”, to adjacentsmaller generally spherical glass components that the smaller generallyspherical glass components (14) rigidly and fixedly form part of theretroreflective glass bead (10).

In FIG. 3, an artist's schematic, a broken portion of the relativelylarger generally spherical central glass component (12) is depicted withseveral of the smaller generally spherical central glass components (14)attached through the IM coating layers (16), The “neck”(17) shows theattachment by the IM coating on the surface of the relatively largergenerally spherical central glass component (12) to the smallergenerally spherical central glass components. In FIG. 3, the attachmentor “neck” (17) is depicted as consisting of a direct attachment throughthe IM coating (16) connecting the exterior of the central larger glasscomponent (12) to the smaller glass peripheral components (14). Furtherthe smaller glass components (14) can be connected to other smallerglass components (14) via said attachment, The heat bondedretroreflective bead is quite durable and stable in comparison to otherglass bead constructions formed by adhesives or reactive couplingagents.

FIG. 4 shows, upon microscopic inspection of an image, a retroreflectiveglass bead (10) with a central spherical large glass components and thesmaller general spherical peripheral glass components according to theembodiment. A heat bond (17) is clearly visible in the figure.

Average diameter of the relatively larger generally spherical centralglass component designated in the drawings is about 1.2 millimeters, orabout 0.85 millimeters to 1.4 millimeters, or about 0.6 to about 2.0millimeters. The useful average diameter for the smaller generallyspherical glass members designated (14) in the drawings is 75μ, or about60μ to about 90μ, or about 40 to about 200μ.

FIG. 5 is a graph of the heating profile in Table 3.

The claims may suitably comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of,or be substantially free or free of any of the disclosed or recitedelements. The claimed technology is illustratively disclosed herein canalso be suitably practiced in the absence of any element which is notspecifically disclosed herein. The various embodiments described aboveare provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed tolimit the claims attached hereto. Various modifications and changes maybe made without following the example embodiments and applicationsillustrated and described herein, and without departing from the truespirit and scope of the following claims.

The specification shows an enabling disclosure of the compositetechnology, other embodiments may be made with the claimed materials.Accordingly, the invention is embodied solely in the claims hereinafterappended.

We claim:
 1. A retroreflective article comprising: a. a glass centralbead component coated with an interfacial modifier; and b. a pluralityof peripheral smaller globular glass components, wherein each peripheralglass component forms an array on the glass central component with theother peripheral glass members to make the retroreflective bead articlewith no adhesive.
 2. The article of claim 1 in which the centralcomponent is in the range of from about 0.6 to about 2.0 mm and theperipheral component are in the range of from about 40μ to 200μ.
 3. Thearticle of claim 1 wherein the central component and peripheralcomponents are heat bonded and volatile components are removed.
 4. Thearticle of claim 1 wherein the central component is of a generallyspherical configuration.
 5. The article of claim 3 wherein theperipheral components are of a generally spherical configuration.
 6. Thearticle of claim 1 wherein the interfacial modifier coating is appliedto the central component at 0.2 to 2 wt. % based on the centralcomponent.
 7. The article of claim 1 wherein the interfacial modifiercoating is applied to the peripheral component at 0.2 to 2 wt. % basedon the peripheral components.
 8. The article of claim 1 wherein theinterfacial modifier coating the central component comprises acontinuous layer having a thickness of less than about 0.5 micron. 9.The article of claim 1 wherein the interfacial modifier coating theperipheral components comprise a continuous layer having a thickness ofless than about 0.5 micron.
 10. The article of claim 1 wherein a ratioof diameter of globular central component to the peripheral globularglass components is greater than 10:1.
 11. The article of claim 1wherein a ratio of diameter of globular central component to theperipheral globular glass components is greater than 15:1.
 12. A kitcomprising a plurality of heat bonded retroreflective glass beadarticles in a packaged unit, the beads comprising: a. a generallyglobular glass central component coated with an interfacial modifier;and b. a plurality of peripheral smaller globular glass components,wherein the peripheral glass component are heat bonded to the glasscentral component and to the other peripheral glass members to make theretroreflective article with no adhesive.
 13. The kit of claim 13further comprising the packaged unit to contain different sizes of theretroreflective bead articles.
 14. A method of making a heat bondedretroreflective article comprising: a. Selecting a size for a generallyglobular glass central component; b. Coating the generally globularcentral component with an interfacial modifier; c. Selecting a size forperipheral smaller globular glass components, d. Mixing the peripheralsmaller globular glass components with the interfacially modified coatedglobular central component; e. Arraying the peripheral smaller globularglass components and the interfacially modified coated globular centralcomponent to form an initial array; and f. Heat bonding the glasscentral component to the peripheral glass members to make theretroreflective bead.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the interfacialmodifier coating is applied to the central component at 0.2 to 2 wt. %based on the central component.
 16. The article of claim 14 wherein aninterfacial modifier coating is applied to the peripheral component at0.2 to 2 wt. % on the peripheral components.
 17. The article of claim 14wherein the interfacial modifier coating the central component comprisesa continuous layer having a thickness of less than about 0.5 micron. 18.The article of claim 14 wherein the interfacial modifier coating theperipheral components comprise a continuous layer having a thickness ofless than about 0.5 micron.
 19. The article of claim 14 wherein theratio of diameter of globular central component to the peripheralglobular glass components is greater than 10:1.
 20. The article of claim14 wherein the ratio of diameter of globular central component to theperipheral globular glass components is greater than 15:1.